It’s always a sad day when one has to use a Disney film as a verb. It’s not a controversial statement to say that The Little Mermaid‘s Ursula is one of the most revered and feared animated villains of the Disney Renaissance (coincidentally the very film that started it). Her commitment to attain power by any means necessary is both a respectable and welcome addition to any film. Especially one that requires the audience to despise the villain, to become deeply invested in the success of the protagonists. Given Disney’s track record with their live-action remakes, should audiences be worried about this film? Furthermore, should they worry this iconic movie is in danger of becoming another Aladdin or Lion King?
Or even worse, another Maleficent?
Disney Outright Ruined Maleficent & Jafar
Let’s be honest, Disney’s string of live-action remakes are easily shown to be more misses than hits, in terms of both fan and critical response. Aladdin was overtly campy with a Will Smith performance that never quite got off the ground, remade songs that just didn’t do the originals justice, and one of the weakest villains we’ve ever seen. For so many fans, the portrayal of Jafar was horrendous. The actor seemed to be phoning it in for the better part of the film and acting through every scene as if he’d just woken from a nap.
This pattern follows one set by Disney’s Sleeping Beauty remake, Maleficent. For many fans, Maleficent is the OG of Disney villains. Alongside the Evil Queen from Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Disney crafted some of the greatest cinematic villains to ever strike fear into the hearts of children everywhere. Unfortunately for Maleficent, none of that was carried over for her live-action feature film. While it can be said that Angelina Jolie gave one of her most iconic performances, the film itself never quite matched her capabilities. Their decision to make the titular character more sympathetic, kind, and protective ruined what audiences had come to adore and expect.
So to Disney, I say this: do not continue this pattern of destruction with Ursula, she deserves far better than that. The sad part of all of this is that Disney already appears to be taking steps in that ill-advised direction.
Rumored Change to Ursula Does Not Bode Well
There are rumors currently circling the internet that Disney plans to make a major change to Ursula’s backstory. Now it’s rumored that this was the original plan for Ursula during the initial stages of the original film, but it was tossed aside to remove any chance of sympathy from the audience. The rumored change in question is the plan to make Ursula Ariel’s aunt. Where has Disney made a mistake like that before?
The change to Maleficent, making her caring and protective of Aurora ruined the once legendary malevolence of that beloved Disney villain. The chance that Ursula’s vengeful wrath will be watered down by a familial connection to the protagonist heightens the likelihood of another depressing downfall of a legendary character’s unequivocal hunger for power.
Ursula was willing to kill and enslave to meet her ends and removing that aspect completely ruins her character, her story, and will only be met with a similar response that diehard fans showed to Aladdin, Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, Dumbo, and Maleficent.
Does Melissa McCarthy Have What It Takes?
Thus far in her career, Melissa McCarthy hasn’t demonstrated an ability to play a villain of this caliber. Her natural comedic timing, matronly presence, and admirable humility are the polar opposite of what’s expected for someone playing Ursula. Of course, the iconic performance from Pat Carroll, the original voice of Ursula, will never be matched. But that doesn’t mean the audience shouldn’t go into the film with a certain degree of expectation.
While she has demonstrated some ability to sing in her duet with Barbara Streisand, a hint of cruelty and terror is not aligned with her demonstration. One could argue the showcase provided by Queen Latifah during the staged live-action Little Mermaid was worthy of her being cast instead of McCarthy.
In the end, only time will tell if any of this will come to pass. Unfortunately, given Disney’s track record with their string of live-action remakes, the bar has been set extremely low and unfair to the grace, determination, and vocal prowess of Halle Bailey. She and Ariel deserve a far better film than that. After all, it was the animated film that saved Disney Animation and kicked off what would become known as the Disney Renaissance.
The Little Mermaid is currently filming with a cast that includes Halle Bailey as Ariel, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. While the film has no set release date, it is expected to premiere in theaters in 2022.